First impressions are everything in today’s world, and a website is the first thing your potential clients will see when they Google you. If you’re on the fence about investing in a professional website (because, I know, it IS an investment), check out a few of these reasons that might help your decision.

One word: Trust

With social media monopolizing the internet, many clients ask me; “do I even need a website though? I have a Facebook, Instagram..” My answer, no matter what kind of business you have, is always going to be YES; if for no other reason than trust. Having a website validates you. It immediately shows potential clients that you’re a serious and legitimate business, because you’ve invested in a website. A Facebook page is important to have, but anyone with a personal account can start a business page for any type of product or service. A website requires a little more time and consideration, and that alone sets you on a different level.

Your current website is outdated

Again, you may be thinking this is not such a big deal if you have updated social media channels. But an outdated web design can come across as lazy. I recently read a study on Forbes called Trust and Mistrust of Online Health Sites. In it, 15 participants were told to search the web for health information that was relevant to them and determine which factors influenced trust of one site over another. Of all the factors mentioned for mistrusting a website, 94% were directly related to the web design elements, while only 6% were related to the content.

Functionality

A website needs to be user-friendly and simple to navigate. Visitors to your site must be able to find information about you quickly and easily; if your site isn’t properly laid out, people will get frustrated and leave. Hiring a professional ensures that not only is your website aesthetically pleasing, but designed with your clients’ experience in mind.

Custom design

With so many do-it-yourself website builders out there, why bother hiring a professional? When you hire a professional, your site will be custom tailored to fit your business. DIY site builders can limit the capabilities of their site and often restrict graphics and text; hiring a professional ensures your brand is consistent across all your marketing platforms.

Your website will play a huge role in the success of your business, and is your biggest marketing tool; make sure you consider all angles and options before choosing what route is best for you and your business.

So often I’m asked, “why did you choose to be a freelancer?” To many, it seems like a life of uncertainty and unpredictability. That assumption isn’t entirely wrong. But for me, the benefits far outweigh the risks.

The first thing I’ll say is that freelancing was not a lifelong goal for me. I did not grow up dreaming of being a freelance graphic designer. I grew up first dreaming of being a lawyer like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde; then a French teacher; and finally, an art director of a top agency. It wasn’t until I was working toward that last goal, where I realized I loved my job but not so much the lifestyle. I reached a crossroads suddenly, so I decided to dive headfirst into freelancing. Surprisingly, I ended up loving it. Here’s a few reasons why.

Flexibility

First and foremost, this part rules and is probably the biggest perk of freelancing. Being self employed is hard, and often times we end up working more than 40 hours a week; BUT it’s hours we choose, based on our project needs. I have no problem working late into the evening for a Thursday morning deadline; and perhaps in turn taking Thursday morning off. This often means working non-typical hours like evenings or weekends; but as a former bartender, this is not difficult for me. Scheduling perks are also great. Want to get my hair cut at 11am on a Tuesday? No sweat. Get my groceries Monday afternoon before everyone else is off work? Deadly.

No income cap

What does this mean exactly? For freelancers, our income increases as our workload increases. Our workload increases as our skill set improves. For me, when I was employed I didn’t feel any incentive to get better or do better. I was getting my pay check regardless. Now, my revenue is completely determined by me, my skill set, and how much I choose to learn and improve. Possibilities can be endless if you put in the work.

Greater personal attention to clients

This is a big one for me. As a freelancer, I’m working for and representing only myself. My communication with my clients is very much more personal than when I was doing so on behalf of a company. I care more about them, their business and their success because the work I do for them can be a major factor in these things. I find I also have more time to devote to the clients who need it, because I’m in control of my own time management. Many long term clients have become more like friends, and I love it.

So in conclusion, is freelancing for everyone? No, absolutely not. There are many benefits to a secure day job that freelancing does not offer. But for me, I wouldn’t have my life any other way. Yes, the grass can be greener on this side of the fence; but only if you water it. We start with no grass over here.